KOCHI: Giving signs that the government is withdrawing from the agreement with Tecom to set up the Smart City project in Kochi, the KSEB has started cutting down trees and laying foundations for structures in the 100 acres of land which had been handed over for the IT project. At a time when the Chief Minister is set to take a final decision on whether the Smart City project should be set up with Tecom as the promoter, the KSEB has begun work on its proposed power project.
But, the Tecom authorities have challenged the KSEB's action citing that the 100 acres of land is still under the possession of the Smart City, Kochi. The government has not vacated the lease agreement with Tecom so far. So, the possession of the land still rests with the Smart City, Kochi, sources with Smart City said. The act of the KSEB can be termed only as trespassing, they said.
But, the KSEB's stand is that the land is still owned by it as the department has not transferred its ownership to the Smart City.
"We haven't received any compensation for the 100 acres so far. It was with the intention that the department should not be a roadblock to the project that we demanded the land back," sources with the KSEB said.
Electricity Minister A K Balan told the media that the land which had been handed over to set up the Smart City project should be given back if the project was being not implemented. "It is against the backdrop of the Smart City project being delayed inordinately that we want the land back. We need the land to start the second phase of the power project at Brahmapuram," Balan said.
"Tecom has been raising undue claim for the 12 percent freehold land right. That clause is not in the framework agreement. The Chief Minister and Smart City chairman S Sarma have made that clear," he said.